Sending your article

Your article has been sent.

The Jets’ strength and conditioning coach who tripped a Dolphins player during Sunday’s game was suspended by the team last night without pay for the rest of the season, including the playoffs, and fined an additional $25,000.

Alosi began serving his suspension immediately and will have no access to the team’s practice facility.

“I accept responsibility for my actions and respect the team’s decision,’’ Alosi said in a statement.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum said Alosi will also not be allowed to interact with any players or coaches “as it pertains to his job function.’’ He added that the team spoke with the NFL about the incident throughout the day, and the league will issue no further discipline.

“Hopefully we’re going to learn from what happened yesterday and take full responsibility for it,’’ Tannenbaum said.

Alosi stuck out his left knee on the sideline and tripped Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll, who was covering a punt in the third quarter of Miami’s 10-6 win.

“I let everybody down yesterday with my actions,’’ said Alosi, fighting back tears during a news conference earlier yesterday. “My actions were inexcusable and irresponsible.’’

Carroll, a rookie, fell to the turf and lay there for several minutes before walking off.

Alosi said he apologized by phone to both Carroll and Dolphins coach Tony Sparano Sunday night, and spoke to Jets coach Rex Ryan, Tannenbaum, and team owner Woody Johnson about the situation.

Ryan backs Sanchez Ryan is standing by Mark Sanchez a day after he considered benching his struggling second-year quarterback. Ryan said Sanchez “is our quarterback, he’s my quarterback’’ despite another poor showing for the Jets — 17 of 44 for 216 yards, and his 12th interception in eight games.

Ryan said he thought about yanking Sanchez in the third quarter against Miami, but added, “Even if I did yank him for whatever reason, he’s our quarterback. We’re going to go as far as he takes us.’’

The Jets also have some injury concerns. Right tackle Damien Woody will have arthroscopic surgery tomorrow on his injured right knee, sidelining him for at least one game. Ryan said it’s “probably doubtful’’ that safety Eric Smith will play next weekend against the Steelers after suffering a possible concussion Sunday.

Injury awareness up According to league data obtained by The Associated Press, the number of concussions being reported in the NFL this season is up more than 20 percent from 2009, and more than 30 percent from 2008.

The league considers that proof that players and teams are taking head injuries more seriously and being more open about them.

The NFL’s data shows 154 concussions — from practices or games — were reported from the start of the preseason through the eighth week of the 2010 regular season. That’s an increase of 21 percent over the 127 concussions through the eighth week of the 2009 season, and a 34 percent jump from the 115 reported over the same span in 2008.

Skelton sticks Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said rookie John Skelton will remain the starting quarterback after Arizona ended its seven-game losing streak Sunday. “I think we’ll stick with what our plan all along has been, and that’s to play the best player, the player that gives us the best chance to win. I think right now that’s John Skelton,’’ Whisenhunt said. Skelton completed 15 of 37 passes for 146 yards in his first NFL start, with no interceptions and no sacks . . . Broncos interim coach Eric Studesville said he’s sticking with slumping quarterback Kyle Orton as his starter, but he left the door open to the possibility that first-round draft pick Tim Tebow could begin to see more action with the Broncos out of the playoff chase. Denver also put safety Kyle McCarthy (knee) on injured reserve.

Good news on Roby Saints coach Sean Payton said kickoff returner Courtney Roby appears to have no long-term damage after suffering a neck injury and concussion Sunday, and was to be released from the hospital yesterday . . . The Seahawks will finish the season without wide receiver Deon Butler, who suffered a broken right leg Sunday . . . The Bengals put safety Chinedum Ndukwe on injured reserve with a severe left knee injury . . . Redskins safety LaRon Landry is done for the season with a left Achilles’ tendon injury . . . Bills wide receiver Lee Evans is out indefinitely with a sprained ankle . . . Buccaneers linebacker Geno Hayes was jailed on disorderly conduct and trespassing charges early yesterday after a dispute at a popular Tampa nightclub. Coach Raheem Morris said Hayes will play Sunday.

Sign of regret Cowboys running back Tashard Choice sent a tweet yesterday to apologize to any fans upset by him getting Michael Vick’s autograph for his nephew following Philadelphia’s 30-27 victory Sunday night at Cowboys Stadium. Choice asked the Eagles quarterback for his signature on a white glove during a televised postgame interview . . . Eagles rookie defensive end Brandon Graham tore his anterior cruciate ligament Sunday night and will miss the rest of the season. Eagles middle linebacker Stewart Bradley is out indefinitely with a dislocated elbow . . . The Vikings-Eagles game Dec. 26 has been switched to NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.’’